What are the real attitudes, positions and future policy actions of Trump and Harris on Ukraine?

The political positions of Donald Trump and Kamala Harris on the war in Ukraine reflect significant differences in their views on US foreign policy. Both politicians can have a significant impact on further steps in the context of supporting Ukraine, which makes the analysis of their views extremely important for understanding possible scenarios.

Donald Trump's position

Donald Trump has repeatedly stated that Russia's invasion of Ukraine would not have happened if he had remained president. He emphasizes his diplomatic skills and ability to “negotiate” with Putin, saying that he could have ended the conflict within 24 hours of his re-election. At the same time, he does not provide a specific action plan. It is important to note that during his presidency, Trump also facilitated defense assistance to Ukraine, including the transfer of Javelin systems.

However, his policy toward Ukraine during his presidency was controversial. In particular, he delayed military aid to Ukraine in exchange for political favors, which led to his first impeachment. During the current election campaign, Trump has often expressed a desire to cut aid to Ukraine, focusing US resources on solving domestic problems.

Jonathan Katz of the German Marshall Fund believes that Trump could weaken the US global position if he cuts aid to Ukraine, which would lead to a strengthening of Russia's influence in Europe. In his opinion, reducing support for Ukraine will demonstrate to authoritarian regimes the weakness of American leadership.

Kamala Harris' position

As Vice President of the United States, Kamala Harris supports the policy of active assistance to Ukraine. Along with President Biden, Harris is in favor of continuing military and economic support for Kyiv to deter Russian aggression. Harris supports the preservation of Ukraine's territorial integrity and emphasizes that no negotiations should include the loss of territory by Ukraine.

During her vice presidency, Harris met several times with European and NATO leaders, actively promoting support for Ukraine. She was also part of the process of adopting additional sanctions against Russia, insisting on the need to increase pressure on Moscow to stop its aggressive policies.

According to a study by the Council on Foreign Relations, Harris believes that supporting Ukraine is important not only to protect European security, but also to preserve democratic values globally. Her position reflects a broader Western consensus that Ukraine's defeat could have long-term consequences for the world order.

Experts' opinions

There are different opinions among political experts about the approach of both candidates to resolving the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Thus, we can see that some experts emphasize the importance of Harris's approach to continue pressure on Russia and provide military assistance to Ukraine. In particular, political scientist Michael Carpenter, who used to work at the US State Department, believes that the reduction of aid to Ukraine, as Trump is talking about, could lead to a prolongation of the conflict or to a Russian victory on the battlefield, which would have devastating consequences for Europe.

At the same time, other experts emphasize that Trump represents a more pragmatic approach to foreign policy, focused on reducing the US spending on international conflicts. Political analyst John Mearsheimer notes that Trump could achieve peace in Ukraine through negotiations, even if it involves territorial concessions from Ukraine. This, in his opinion, would reduce tensions between the US and Russia, although this approach would not be popular among US allies in Europe.

Young People's Views on Trump-Harris Policy Toward Ukraine

Students studying international relations have different views on the Trump-Harris policy toward Ukraine. Some support Trump's approach, believing that the United States should focus on its own domestic problems and reduce its involvement in foreign conflicts. They believe that a diplomatic solution to the war in Ukraine could be more effective than continued military support.

Other students, on the contrary, support Harris's position, emphasizing the importance of protecting democracy and confronting Russia's aggressive actions. They believe that cutting aid to Ukraine will only increase global risks and endanger other countries that may become targets of aggression by authoritarian regimes.

Trump and Harris represent two different approaches to the war in Ukraine and US foreign policy in general. Trump is focused on reducing international obligations and emphasizes a quick end to the war through negotiations, even if it means concessions for Ukraine. Harris, on the other hand, supports continued active support for Ukraine, believing that Ukraine's victory is key to global stability and security.

Therefore, the outcome of the presidential election in 2024 will have a significant impact on the future of US policy toward Ukraine and international security in general.